Friday, 2 October 2015

Autumnal Pitsford

A stroll along the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res yesterday afternoon was glorious in the autumn sunshine. Autumn is my favourite season at Pitsford: the berry laden trees and bushes, late hunting dragonflys, wonderful odours and colours plus of course the large number of waterfowl all combine to make a visit special.The two Great White Egrets were still present, one in the Walgrave Bay and one on the bank between the Walgrave and Holcot Bays.I couldn't find any Pintail Today, there have been up to 4 recently in the Scaldwell bay. Only two Red-crested Pochard were on view, the pale drake with a duck present for the first time this autumn as far as I am aware. The group of 4 eclipse drakes were not in evidence.A pleasant, but not entirely unexpected surprise was a solitary male Stonechat near to Paul's bench. It wasn't sporting a ring, so not a bird captured by Neil M last winter.The Yellow-legged Gull was still in attendance as well as the immature Shelduck.On the return leg a Kestrel was hunting over the meadow near to the Maytree's Hide without success.